Craig Bystrynski

Craig Bystrynski is editor in chief of PTO Today magazine and ptotoday.com. He shares his insights and expertise in the magazine, on the website, and as a contributor to the Leader Lowdown email newsletter. Connect with Craig in the ptotoday.com Community.

• Is It Legal?
  Answers to some common questions about finances, donations, elections, tax-exemption, and more.

• 5 Don'ts for PTOs and PTAs
  Sometimes common practices aren't best practices. We look at five surprising don'ts—including charging dues—that might be hindering your group.

• 13 Things To Do This Year
  Get out your to do list and add these items to build involvement and strengthen your group.

• Planning Your Playground
  Building or renovating a playground may be the biggest single project your PTO undertakes. We walk you through the 19 essential steps to success.

• To Build Support, Celebrate Success
  Make publicizing your group's good works and thanking the people who contributed to your success a year-end priority.

• The Secret to Successful Leadership
  The most overlooked skill—delegation—might just be the best one you'll ever learn.

• Picking Your Fundraising Partner
  By following some key steps before committing to a fundraising company, you'll ensure that your group ends up with the right match.

• 10 Mistakes Parent Groups Make
  These common problems can undermine your parent group's success. Learn to identify and fix them early.

• The Language of Leadership
  To grow your group, have a focused message and then match actions to words.

• New Group: PTO Starts Strong
  Strong organization and attention to detail on the business side helped create a fast start for PTO Today's 2006 National Parent Group of the Year winner in the category Outstanding New Group.

• The Power of the "Big Idea"
  A high-profile goal or signature event will rally your school community and build excitement.

• 25 Ways To Catch and Keep Volunteers
  Tips to lure volunteers in, keep them happy, and avoid the pitfalls that will keep them from coming back.

• Make Planning a Priority
  Think ahead for fall and get a jump-start on a productive year.

• Put On Your Sales Hat
  These five basic principles of good salesmanship will help you build parent involvement.

• Are You Ready To Lead?
  Being an effective parent group leader requires a commitment to the big picture and a willingness to let others help achieve those goals.

• You're Elected! Now What?
  An overview of what lies ahead for first-time board members, and tips for getting off to a strong start.

• Meeting Minutes Dos and Don'ts
  Minutes are a legal document and an important record of your decisions. Guidelines on when to take minutes and what to record.

• 11 Midyear Problems and Solutions
  From low turnout to conflicts with the principal, our PTO answer guide will help make your whole year great.

• Handling Cash: 6 Simple Steps
  You want to make the money you raise count for the school and the kids. Set up these six checks and balances to reduce errors and the risk of loss.

• A Playground That Teaches Science
  Kids love the unique playground, and teachers have created a 47-page curriculum to go with it.

• National Winner: Middle School Magic
  Creating involvement at the middle school level can be tough, but Rosemont Ridge PTO has the magic touch. That made them PTO Today's 2004 Parent Group of the Year.

• How To Inspect Your Playground
  Playgrounds take a lot of wear and tear. Here's what to look for to make sure your playground remains a safe environment for kids.

• 26 Ways To Build Involvement
  Getting more parents to participate is as easy as A, B, C when you follow this list of best practices.

• 6 Keys for Playground Design
  Keep these important topics in mind when planning a playground to make sure the result is a space where children can have fun and be safe.

• Mother-Son Dance: Jammin' Fun
  A twist on the traditional father-daughter dance offers music, activities, door prizes, and a chance for parents and kids to bond.

• Family Event: Details Make a Winning Night
  A nice family night became a terrific school event thanks to a focus on making sure everyone could participate. That focus made this night PTO Today's 2005 Parent Group of the Year winner for Outstanding Family Event.